Mississippi doesn?t have to go it alone on pre-K

Sid Salter (?Miss. lags in early childhood education,? June 11th) is right to back investments to make quality early education affordable. But Mississippi doesn?t have to go it alone.

It?s about fairness. Just 48 percent of low-income children enter Kindergarten school-ready, compared to three-fourths of higher-income kids. Quality pre-Kindergarten levels the playing field, especially for poor kids. And it cultivates ?soft skills? prized by employers, like focus and critical thinking, giving today?s kids a better chance to compete in tomorrow?s economy.

Congress should build a federal-state partnership, like the Children?s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Federal funds would help Mississippi and other states make pre-K affordable for every child. And funding would be limited to providers meeting evidence-informed quality standards.

CHIP?s success shows Republicans and Democrats can put kids ahead of politics. Let?s urge Mississippi?s leaders in Congress to do it again. A child?s potential, not a parent?s income, should define the limits of academic success.

Bruce Lesley

President

First Focus

Bruce LesleyWashingtonUser submission

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Mississippi doesn?t have to go it alone on pre-K

Sid Salter (?Miss. lags in early childhood education,? June 11th) is right to back investments to make quality early education affordable. But Mississippi doesn?t have to go it alone.It?s about